Why You Should Burn Your Christmas Wreath

This week the Wisconsin department of Agriculture issued a warning in regards to holiday greenery found at several retail chains. A number of swags, wreaths and boughs were found to contain the invasive insect elongate hemlock scale or EHS. This pest is believed to have come into the country from Japan many years ago but usually just shows up in the Eastern United States. The EHS is a known threat to hemlock trees.

This morning the Minnesota Department of Agriculture joined in the warning. The infected greenery came from North Carolina and was stocked by Home Depots and Menards stores. The Minnesota Department of Ag is encouraging citizens to either burn or bag and deposit in the trash Christmas greenery purchased at these locations. You are urged to not compost these evergreen items.

Both Home Depot and Menards have cooperated with inspectors and pulled any remaining product off their shelves.